Emergency plan in Midland for when things go wrong

By the Midland Daily News

Published
8:00 am EDT, Friday, August 31, 2012

While Midland County is immune (knock on wood) to the major disasters covered heavily in the media (hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.), the county has experienced smaller scale emergencies such as flooding and major winter storms.

Those in charge of the county have done a pretty good job in dealing with these issues in the past, but Roger Garner, county emergency management coordinator, asked the question, what happens if county operations are interrupted?

The county’s law enforcement and judiciary committee have handed a Continuity of Operations Plan to the full county board for its approval.

This plan outlines what would happen and who would take over county operations if county operations are interrupted by a disaster.

Garner analyzed three very possible scenarios coming up with the plan. First, if a single building or facility is effected. Second, how would the county deal with multiple facilities being incapacitated. And, finally, if a pandemic flu hit the area.

In the event of an emergency, the first step would be to formulate a response team consisting of the chairman of the board of commissioners, county administrator, facility manager, along with directors of the finance, human resource and information systems’ departments. This sensibly does not include Garner in the emergency team as he figures he’ll be busy elsewhere.

It also identifies a succession line so staffers know who is in charge if someone is not available. This line of succession will help staff train the appropriate people to handle these situations.

Again, we believe the county and Garner have handled recently emergencies effectively and efficiently. However, this plan is just another tool in that excellent emergency management.